This project by interior designer Ekaterina Yakovenko is a 1,222 m² home where every line, the softness of light, and the calm aesthetic reflect the rhythm of life outside the city.
It belongs to a young, energetic family — a couple with two children who lead an active lifestyle. On weekdays, they focus on their business; on weekends, they travel, play golf, swim together, and enjoy time at the spa. Their family motto, “movement is life,” has found its physical expression in this house.
Project Name: Kyoto Villa
Studio Name: Ekaterina Yakovenko
Style: Natalia Onufreichuk
Photo credit: Sergey Krasyuk
The clients wanted to move in just a few months after purchasing the land, so they entrusted the entire process to Ekaterina and her team. One of the main goals was to create a space filled with light and air, where natural materials and soft tones evoke a sense of peace and warmth.
The two-level house includes, on the ground floor, a spacious living room, dining area, and kitchen combined into a single bright space, along with a professional kitchen for guest chefs, a playroom, a terrace with a barbecue area, a pool with a salt room, and a hammam. The upper floor is the private family area, with a master suite featuring a bathroom and walk-in closet, two children’s bedrooms, and a guest room.
The architecture feels seamlessly integrated into the landscape. Rock gardens, bonsai, and ikebana compositions blend naturally into the Japanese-inspired interior. Here, functionality meets contemplation, and every detail carries meaning. The design embraces the philosophy of wabi-sabi — an appreciation of simplicity, imperfection, and the beauty of the moment.
Natural materials — wood, stone, brass, and mirrors — form the foundation of the atmosphere, adding depth, texture, and lightness. The palette is warm and muted, with shades of sand, ivory, clay, and soft green. Large, uncurtained windows let the light flow freely, connecting the interior with the garden and allowing air to move through the space.
For the fireplace surround, Ekaterina chose a rare quartzite instead of traditional marble; its pattern resembles waves that visually unite the living and kitchen areas. The changing directions of the veins create a dynamic sense of movement, making the interior feel alive, in harmony with the landscape outside.
Walls and ceilings are finished with a velvety, textured paint that adds depth, while the furniture provides a sense of calm completion. The custom-made kitchen by Key Cucine, living room pieces by Henge, and an Emmemobili console with a stone inlay at the entrance all reflect refined craftsmanship.
Everything in this home is designed so that the interior becomes an extension of the landscape — a space of inner balance and quiet strength. The panoramic windows turn the view into living paintings, where morning mist, autumn rain, and evening light all become part of the architecture itself.